album in full on tour. Background Shortly after forming in January 2005, Cute Is What We Aim For began releasing demos through Myspace and PureVolume, which helped the band gain initial exposure. Guitarist Jeff Czum said their success was due to another band's street team: "The street team leader from Hawthorne Heights reposted it on Myspace. Literally overnight we got like 10,000 fans on Myspace and started to get attention from labels." In the following months, the group continued to record and play shows, increasing their fan base and declining advances from record labels. In summer 2005, the band received a phone call from major label Fueled by Ramen founder John Janick, who wished to see the group perform live. The group had a meeting with Janick, before leaving to record demos in New York City. Eager to hear the material, Janick visited the group while they were recording in late July with Shep Goodman. On November 29, it was announced that the band had signed to Fueled by Ramen. Vocalist Shaant Hacikyan said of the label: "There's such an amazing sense of community about the label. ... From the outside looking in, I just wanted to be a part of it so bad." In December, the band mentioned that they were writing material for their debut album and were planning to record later in winter. Production and composition Despite an Alternative Press news report shortly after signing with Fueled by Ramen that the band was recording, they did not start the album until February 2006. Recording took place at Salad Days Studios in Beltsville, Maryland. The group made a brief list of producers they wished to work with, the first being Matt Squire. One of the band's main reasons for wanting to work with Squire was the label's rapport with him as a result of the success of Panic! at the Disco's debut, A Fever You Can't Sweat Out (2005). Janick sent Squire a demo of "Teasing to Please (Left Side, Strong Side)." Shaant Hacikyan recalls Squire was "really excited about it. I knew right away that that we could make a great record together." Hacikyan described Squire as "a guiding light. He has this confidence that he inspires in others. This record wouldn't be what it is without him." According to Squire, the group wanted to make a "very natural sounding record." As such, the band and Squire